Teenage duo deny gang-raping minor

KOTA KINABALU: Two youths claimed trial at the Sessions Court here yesterday to a joint charge of gang-raping a 15-year-old girl.

Ibnu Saiful Pangusulan and Jasryeil Idham Abdullah, both aged 18, were brought before judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim for their plea to be taken.

They were alleged to have committed the offence against the girl, whom they had just known, in a house at a People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Penampang at 2am on March 31.

The alleged gang-rape is framed under Section 375B of the Penal Code which provides a jail term of not less than 10 years and not more than 30 years, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Nur Faezah Jafry objected to bail since the case involved a non-bailable offence.

However, counsel Azhier Farhan Arisin who represented both accused, applied for bail on the grounds that both accused and the alleged victim are not staying at the same locality and both accused are still staying with their parents.

He said Ibnu Saiful is a trainee therapist while Jasryeil is unemployed and both are still depending on their parents.

Azhier also prayed for the bail amount to be minimized and commensurate with both accused’s financial ability while adding that both accused are currently facing financial constraint, particularly Ibnu, whose mother has stage three breast cancer.

The court fixed July 29 to 31 for trial and allowed them to be released on RM8,000 bail each, in two local sureties, pending disposal of the case.

Both accused were also ordered to report themselves at the nearest police station every fortnight and not to communicate with any of the prosecution witnesses.

Failure to adhere with any of the condition would cause the bail to be revoked.